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MicroRNAs in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms

Areti Moushi1, Nir Pillar2, Anna Keravnou1,3

  • 1Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Bioscience Reports
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified three microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential early diagnostic biomarkers for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (aTAA). These findings may also lead to new therapeutic targets for this fatal cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) involves aortic dilation and is often fatal if untreated.
  • The genetic underpinnings of TAA remain incompletely understood, necessitating research into its pathophysiology.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs).
  • To explore novel therapeutic targets for ATAA based on miRNA expression profiles.

Main Methods:

  • MiRNA expression profiling was performed using NanoString nCounter technology on tissue and plasma samples from ATAA patients.
  • Quantitative validation of selected miRNAs was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Bioinformatic analysis identified predicted target genes and their correlation with miRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Three specific miRNAs (hsa-miR140-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p, and hsa-miR-214-3p) exhibited significant expression differences in plasma samples.
  • Expression levels of two target genes, MTMR4 and PPP1CB, were inversely correlated with their corresponding miRNAs.
  • This pilot study highlights potential diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for ATAA.

Conclusions:

  • Identified three miRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early ATAA detection.
  • These miRNAs and their target genes represent potential targets for future ATAA therapies.
  • Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore therapeutic applications.
Keywords:
biomarkersmicroRNAsplasma samplesthoracic aneurysms

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